by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Anna Dimdore.
Performance dates and times :
Wednesday 2 – Saturday 5 September and Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 September at 7.30pm.
Matinées on Saturdays 5 and 12 September at 3pm.
To be performed at the Tower Theatre, Stoke Newington.
Audition dates and times :
Sunday 21 June from 2 – 5pm and Monday 22 June 6pm – 9pm at the Tower Theatre.
Possible recalls on Friday 26 June from 6pm – 9pm.
Please email the directing team [email protected] to arrange an audition. Please identify which character you would like to audition for and provide any dates you would not be able to commit to during the rehearsal process;
Please read the play beforehand. As the play is out of copyright it is widely available to read online. There is also a copy available in the Tower foyer which can be read on the premises (please do not take it away).
At the audition, you will be asked to perform monologues and/or scenes from the play with other auditionees. Copies of the audition pieces are available in advance and paper copies will also be made available on the day. We may invite you to a recall, where you will perform further scenes from the play. You will be informed of the outcome of your audition after any recalls have taken place.
Auditions are for Tower Theatre Company Members only.
If you would like to join the Company, please click here for more information.
About the play
Why have a wicked past if you’re going to keep it a secret?
Gerald Arbuthnot, a young man of modest means, is invited to join an aristocratic house party at Lady Hunstanton’s lavish country estate. Dazzled by the witty and glamorous guests, he is thrilled to be offered the post of personal secretary to the rich and powerful Lord Illingworth. But why is Gerald’s mother so against this opportunity of a lifetime? The dynamics of the house party foreshadow an explosion of hidden secrets and societal hypocrisy in a world “made for men and not for women”.
First performed at the Haymarket Theatre in 1893, A Woman of No Importance is a layered exploration of morality, gender, and Victorian hypocrisy, wrapped in Oscar Wilde’s trademark wit.
Casting Breakdown
Accents
Hester Worsley is American, from Boston. Other characters (apart from the servants) will most likely have a southern English, ‘RP’ style accent, although some other accents may work for certain roles.
All characters can be played by actors of any ethnicity.
Rachel Arbuthnot, female, playing age 39 : The titular Woman of No Importance, Mrs. Arbuthnot harbours a long-concealed secret that she is desperate to keep hidden. She lives quietly as a widow with her son Gerald, who is the centre of her world. As the story unfolds, her past comes back to haunt her, putting her in a difficult position. A gentle character with emotional and dramatic scenes.
Hester Worsley, female, playing age 18 ; A young, wealthy American heiress, she is feisty with strong opinions, but very puritanical. She represents a moralising contrast to the cynical, hypocritical British upper class. She initially condemns social sinners and the double standards of the time, but her solution is not that “fallen women” should be forgiven, but that “fallen men” should be equally ostracized. Her opinions soften, however, by the end of the play. In love with Gerald Arbuthnot.
Mrs Allonby, female, playing age 30-40s : The witty and immoral niece of Lord Brancaster, she is full of opinions on the gender roles of men and women. With her husband nowhere to be seen she delights in flirting and verbal fencing with Lord Illingworth and eggs him on to make a pass at the virtuous Hester Worsley.
Lady Jane Hunstanton, female, playing age 60s up : The hostess of the country house party where the play is set. A wealthy and sophisticated widow who enjoys entertaining guests and engaging in witty conversations. Benignly humorous compared to the caustic wit of some of the other characters.
Lady Caroline Pontefract, female, playing age 60s up : A social snob who is married to husband number four, she spends most of her time henpecking him and fretting about his health. Her advice to the women at the dinner party is that men are good for two things: paying compliments and paying the bills.
Lady Stutfield, female, playing age 20s-30s : A naive and slightly vapid young woman. She is part of the social gossip and a conventional foil to Mrs. Allonby. She points out that ‘The world was made for men and not for women.’ May double with Alice, the maid.
Lord Illingworth, male, playing age 42 : On the surface a charming and charismatic man, he a prominent figure in society who is known for his sophistication and is rather too pleased with his own wit which he cannot stop showing off. His true character is called into question when his past actions come to light.
Gerald Arbuthnot, male, playing age 20 : A protegee of Lady Hunstanton’s, he is young and impressionable. Devoted to his mother, but ambitious and desperate to escape life in their obscure little town. He hugely admires Lord Illingworth when he meets him and is overjoyed to be offered a post as his secretary. In love with Hester Worsley.
Mr Kelvil MP, male, playing age 40s-60s : A pompous MP much given to pontificating about morality. Hypocritically flirtatious with the ladies, despite having a wife and eight children.
Lord John Pontefract, male, playing age 60s up : Lady Pontefract’s long-suffering and henpecked fourth husband. Small comic role.
Dr Daubney, male, playing age 60s up : The local Rector who talks much of his wife who suffers a litany of health issues. Small comic role.
Servants, walk on roles
Alice the maid, may double with Lady Stutfield.
A butler/footman.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals start on Sunday 5 July and will be on Sundays 2pm-6pm, and Monday and Thursday evenings each week. There will be extra rehearsals in the final two weeks before the get-in, days to be confirmed.
All cast are required for the get-in and tech rehearsal on Sunday 30 August and Bank Holiday Monday 31 August all day and evening, and for the dress rehearsal on Tuesday 1 September.
 Anna Dimdore previously directed Foxfinder by Dawn King for the Tower and was Assistant Director on Telstar. For other groups she has directed Enlightenment, Dinner and Twelfth Night, and co-directed The Memory of Water. Anna also acts and was last seen on the Tower stage speaking Italian and waving a bath loofah about in Enchanted April. |
Set Design : Phillip Ley
Assistant directors : Laura Fleming and Cade Featherstone